Fleming Responds to Failure of Debt Reduction Committee

Washington D.C. – Congressman John Fleming, M.D., (LA-4) issued the following statement after the Deficit Reduction Committee announced that it could not reach agreement:

“The failure of the committee is a disappointment, but not a surprise. The outcome could mean devastating cuts in military spending that would reduce our national security capabilities and affect local bases. We should not be looking to our Defense Department to shoulder more massive cuts just because a committee meeting behind closed doors in Washington couldn’t strike a deal.

“I voted against the debt ceiling increase that led to the committee because I felt it would lead to failure and would be used by Democrats as an excuse to blame Republicans. Spending must be cut, but it should be done through regular order and open committee meetings.

“Democrats will not budge from their singular focus of raising taxes on job creators. They appear oblivious to this: Washington’s problem is overspending, not under-taxing. In just over a year tax rates will go back up to Clinton-era levels, with steep increases in income, capital gains, and inheritance taxes. The implementation of Obamacare will cost almost $800 billion in new taxes.

“Small business owners and families in my district are looking for a solution from Washington that will stop the explosion of federal spending. But Democrats insist on burying their heads in the sand and sending us down a road that will bankrupt our country, all the while making straw man arguments on taxation to distract from their real agenda, which is to re-elect Obama.”

Dr. John Fleming is Chairman of the Natural Resources Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs and is a member of the House Armed Services Committee. He is a physician and small business owner and represents the 4th Congressional District of Louisiana.